La Spezia, “Let's have fun learning in museums and libraries”

La Spezia, “Let's have fun learning in museums and libraries”

Following the great success of the 2023 edition of “Let's have fun learning in museums and libraries”, the educational workshops proposed by the Museums and Libraries promoted by the Peracchini Administration which between October and December 2023 saw the participation of almost 1700 children, the Cultural Services offer a new and rich calendar dedicated to children and families from January to May.

“Thirty-two events all dedicated to children and families, mostly free, in all the museums and libraries of La Spezia between January and May: a rich cultural calendar to have fun and learn to appreciate the beauty of our civic collections and reading – declares the Mayor of La Spezia Pierluigi Peracchini – in just three and a half months of 2023, between October and the first days of January, Let's have fun learning involved almost 1700 children, an extraordinary success that convinced us to extend it throughout the year, involving families even more on specific days such as Valentine's Day, March 8, the “Kid Pass days”. Not only that: in April the key event will clearly be the Paleofestival which will see our Castello San Giorgio as the absolute protagonist. Culture is beauty, our beauty, and we as an Administration have the responsibility not only to preserve it as a priceless heritage for future generations but also to make the most of it among the little ones, sowing in them the awareness of protecting our wealth."

In fact, during the winter and spring of the new year, activities and workshops will be organized in all the Museums and in all the Civic Libraries aimed both at children and their families and at an adult public, with specific focuses on the occasion of particular moments of the year such as Valentine's Day, March 8th and the Kid Pass Days, "family days", the great national museum event to discover the Italian cultural, historical, artistic and scientific heritage for free which aims to spread the accessibility of culture suitable for children. The days of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, however, will be entirely dedicated to the Paleofestival, the great event of experimental popular archeology aimed at families with creative workshops, demonstrations and costume re-enactments at Castello San Giorgio.

The inauguration of the calendar of events in the libraries is scheduled for Friday 26 January at 16pm at the Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso” and the one in the museums is scheduled for Saturday 27 January at 16pm at the “Amedeo Lia” Civic Museum. Over the months, there will be a real marathon of events in all the places of La Spezia culture to offer the opportunity to have new experiences for children and their families through workshops and sensory experiences to get ever closer to the museums, the collections civic institutions and the world of libraries, thus transmitting the passion for the cultural heritage of our city. An opportunity to learn while having fun and comparing yourself with others.

All workshops in the library and museums are aimed at children aged 5 to 11 and last from one hour and a half to two hours, unless otherwise specified. The cost of the workshops is 5 euros per participant unless otherwise specified and the booking is always mandatory.

We thank Coop Liguria for its support and collaboration.

PROGRAM

GENNAIO

Friday 26 January at 16.00pm Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso”

• “WINTER CINELABORATORY”. The workshop is divided into two parts: a creative activity dedicated to winter and the viewing of one of the great children's films dedicated to this season. Free entry.

Saturday 27 January at 16.00 pm “Amedeo Lia” Museum

• “COLORED TRANSPARENCY”. Let's discover together the history of January and the months of the year through the twelve glass rounds that represent them. We will create a transparent and colorful work dedicated to our month of birth.

February

Saturday 3 February 11.00 am “PM Beghi” Library

• “PAGE TURNER! AT CARNIVAL... EVERY BOOK IS WORTHY!”. Starting from the reading of ironic and light-hearted books on carnival present in the library, the typical objects of the Italian carnival will be reproduced. Free entry.

Saturday 3 February at 16.00pm Seal Museum

• “FANTASTIC MASKSASTIWHAT AND HOW TO CREATE THEM!”. Soon we will celebrate Carnival, but this year the usual costumes are banned! Our source of inspiration will be the dragons and other fantastic animals that roam among the seals of the Museum: thanks to them, we will create a sparkling mask to show off during celebrations and parades.

Saturday 10 February at 16.00 pm Ethnographic Museum “G. Podenzana"

• “THE BEAR OF PEGAZZANO”. In 1928 a carnival song brought to life the discovery of the remains of a cave bear, which had occurred a few years earlier on the outskirts of the city. By recalling that year's festive parade and learning the song, the children will create their own bear mask!

WEDNESDAY 14 FEBRUARY VALENTINE'S DAY IN MUSEUMS WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS

Castle Museum 16.00 pm “A HEART OF STEATITE”. Steatite is a soft stone that is simple to work by smoothing, in fact it has been used since the Neolithic to create perforated jewelery and pearls which were later found in burials of the time also in our territory. With the workshop we will try drilling the stone using the Neolithic drill and create a splendid heart-shaped pendant to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Seal Museum 17.00 pm “THE SEAL, GUARDIAN OF LOVING THOUGHTS”. The seal as a quirk and fashionable artifact used in private correspondence has been a consolidated habit since at least the 18th century and throughout the following century. Letters and notes between lovers were the favorite recipients to receive these precious sealing wax closures, messengers of amorous mottos which, transferred onto paper, alluded to the confidential nature of the content. Double matrix seals could also contain the monograms of a couple as evidenced by the precious English seal depicting two intertwined hands, which we admire in the room of jewel seals. Inspired by nineteenth-century custom, let's try our hand at writing a secret thought using ink and nib and then experiment with sealing with sealing wax.

Thursday 15 February at 16.30pm Special Art and Archeology Library

• “CREATIVE ART WORKSHOP: IF I WERE FRIDA?”. The workshop begins with the viewing of Frida Kahlo's works through the monographs present. Together we will understand the techniques used and the content of the works. Subsequently, a work will be created, re-proposing a famous work by the artist and re-elaborating with one's own imagination. Free entry.

Saturday 17 February at 16.00 pm “Amedeo Lia” Museum

• “THE MASK OF THE DRAGON”. Let's explore the museum together to look for the dragons hiding in the works of art and create the fantastic Fire Breathing Dragon mask with flames and scales, crest and tail, claws and wings.

Friday 23 February at 16.00pm Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso”

• “CARNIVAL CINELABORATORY”. The workshop is divided into two parts: creative activity dedicated to carnival, with the creation of masks inspired by animated film characters and the subsequent screening of a film. Free entry.

Saturday 24 February at 15.30pm Castle Museum

• “LET'S COOK WITH I ROMANI THE MEDUSA BISCUITS”. Transform yourself into a pastry chef and you will learn the practices of grinding cereals to make flour, which you will then knead, work into the shape of a biscuit on which you will imprint the image of the Medusa and finally bake it in the oven.

MARCH

Saturday 2 March at 16.00 pm Palazzina delle Arti

• “HURRAY FOR ADVERTISING!” What is woodcut? It is a very ancient engraving technique, but much loved and widely used by 20th century artists for the creation of images for advertising. We choose a commercial product that we love and create a beautiful poster to convince everyone to buy it!

FRIDAY 8 MARCH WOMEN'S DAY WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS

Ethnographic Museum “G. Podenzana” 16.00 pm “GIFTS OF LOVE”. Love and youth are the basis of an engagement tradition in the Sarzana countryside which ended with the gift of a bouquet of fabric flowers that the lover offered to the future bride. Let's discover this ancient custom and go look for museum artefacts linked to wedding vows and finally create our personal "flower".

Museum “Amedeo Lia” 17.00 pm “SHADES OF THE FEMININE”. Madonnas and goddesses, noblewomen and commoners: a journey from Ancient Rome to the eighteenth century, to discover how many different shades of form and meaning can be attributed to the representation of the female figure in art. At the end of the thematic view you can create a symbolic red brooch, inspired by jewels and painted fabrics.

Saturday 9 March 11.00 “PM Beghi” Library

• “SPRING PAGE TURNER!” Creative workshop for the little ones. We will start with the reading of the most famous poetry books dedicated to the spring season and will continue by creating colorful objects together using recycled materials. Free entry.

Thursday 14 March at 16.30pm Special Library of Art and Archaeology

• “CREATIVE ART WORKSHOP: IF I WERE MAGRITTE?”

The workshop begins with the viewing of the works of René Magritte through the monographs present in the library. Together we will understand the techniques used and the content of the works. Subsequently, a work will be created, re-proposing a famous work by the artist and re-elaborating with one's own imagination. Free entry

Saturday 23 March at 16.00pm Seal Museum

• “FABERGÉ AND THE TZAR'S EGGS”. Peter Carl Fabergé was a goldsmith who became famous throughout the world for having created jewels of inestimable value for the Tsars of Russia; among these we remember the precious eggs that today we will replicate, creating a precious centerpiece that will embellish our Easter lunch.

Friday 29 March at 16.00pm Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso”

• “EASTER CINELABORATORY”. The workshop is divided into two parts: creation of a small themed work and subsequent screening of a dedicated film. Free entry.

Saturday 30 March 11.00 “PM Beghi” Library

• “EASTER PAGE TURNER!”. He will start by reading the most famous books of poems dedicated to Easter and continue by creating colorful objects together using recycled materials. Free entry.

April

Saturday 6 April at 16.00 pm Ethnographic Museum “G. Podenzana"

• “PRICE FRUIT. SENSORY LABORATORY”. A fun workshop dedicated to fruit in which all five senses will be involved. Participants will play with their senses, learning to perceive different tastes, flavours, textures and colours, to understand the importance of fruit in our diet.

Thursday 11 April at 16.30pm Special Library of Art and Archaeology

• “CREATIVE ART LABORATORY: PREHISTORY MEETS ART”. The laboratory begins with the viewing of images taken from books on the shelves regarding the topic covered. Subsequently, an elaborate project will be created using modeling paste, reproducing a rock figure with this material. Through the practical laboratory, children will be able to approach an ancient heritage, full of curiosity and interest, experimenting with artistic techniques similar to those used in the past. Free entry.

Saturday 13 April at 15.30pm Castle Museum

• “THE POPUP BOOK OF THE ANCIENTS”. How did the Ancients recount and remember the deeds of gods, heroes and men? After discovering it, the stories will find a place in a three-dimensional booklet that we will build together.

Saturday 20 April at 16.00 pm Palazzina delle Arti

• “TRANSPARENCY, LIGHT AND COLOR: LET'S PLAY WITH LIBERTY GLASS GLASSES”

Many elegant buildings that we can admire while walking through the streets of the center are Liberty architecture, in which precious decorations in wrought iron and colored glass play a leading role. Today we will have fun creating a sketch for a small Liberty glass window!

Friday 26 April at 16.00 pm Ligurian Regional Media Library S. Fregoso

• “SPRING CINELABORATORY”. The workshop is divided into two parts: creation of a small cinema-themed object and subsequent screening of a film dedicated to spring. Free entry

May

Saturday 4 May at 16.00 pm Ethnographic Museum “G. Podenzana"

• “FIELD SCENTS”. Today it is not unusual to prepare lavender sachets to perfume and embellish drawers and wardrobes. In the past, other flowers and various herbs were also used for this purpose, which participants will be able to learn about by experimenting with the creation of personal scented laundry bags.

SATURDAY 11 AND SUNDAY 12 MAY “KIDS PASS DAYS” – FREE ENTRY

Saturday 11 April at 15.30pm Castello San Giorgio

• “GREAT CHALLENGE BETWEEN EGYPTIAN PRIESTS AND PHARAOHS”. Children and parents will compete in ancient Egypt's most famous board game after learning the rules. At the end they will create their own board and pieces to be able to continue challenging themselves at home too...

Saturday 11 April at 17.00 pm Ethnographic Museum “G. Podenzana"

• “FROM THE SUGAR OF THE MIDDLE AGES TO MODERN CAKE-DESIGN”. Special for children and parents. Sugar was originally an expensive food extracted from beets or sugar cane, cultivated since the Middle Ages. In the 800th century sugar paste arrived, today one of the most used decorative elements. We will therefore all have fun together manipulating it to give life to very sweet creations.

Sunday 12 May 15.30pm “Amedeo Lia” Museum

• “THE COLOR FAMILY”. The set of colors can be thought of as a large family in which all are linked and interconnected but also independent and with their own characteristics. Through the paintings in the museum we will immerse ourselves in the varied and surprising world of color, experimenting with pigments, coloring materials and techniques to create a small notebook of colorful notes.

Sunday 12 May at 16.45pm Seal Museum

• “THE LEGEND OF THE TANGRAM AND THE SEVEN STONES OF WISDOM”. Legend has it that a young Chinese monk set off to discover the world with the desire to paint its beauties on a porcelain tablet. But this broke into seven pieces and by trying to recompose the square, the young man realized that by combining the tiles he could still create many interesting images. With clay we obtain seven geometric shapes, let's color them and challenge ourselves to compose increasingly daring figures.

Thursday 16 May at 16.30pm Special Library of Art and Archaeology

• “SCIENCE MEETS ART: PIXEL ART”. The relationship between Pointillism and today's pixels is one of the examples that testifies to how science, technology and art have in common a path that began in the past. Through the practical pixel art workshop, children will try their hand at drawings that highlight the square structure, making it an artistic expedient, bringing them closer to coding in an intuitive way. Free entry.

Saturday 18 May 11.00 am “PM Beghi” Civic Library

• “PAGE TURNER! LET'S GO TO EGYPT!”. Creative workshop for the little ones on the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. Discovering Ancient Egypt through the images of the books in Beghi! Free entry.

Friday 24 May at 16.00 pm Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso”

• “CINELABORATORY… A SURPRISE!”. The workshop is divided into two parts: creation of a small cinema-themed artefact and subsequent screening of a themed film. Free entry

info and booking

RESERVATION REQUIRED

Costs: 5 euros per participant, unless otherwise specified. Workshops aimed at children aged 5 to 11, unless otherwise specified. Duration: 1h30 – 2h workshop

Civic Museum of the Castle of San Giorgio via XXVII Marzo – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.751142 museo.sangiorgio@comune.sp.it - link Facebook Ig @museocastellosangiorgio

“Amedeo Lia” Civic Museum via del Prione, 234 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727220 museolia.reception@comune.sp.it - link  Facebook; Ig @museoamedeolia

Civic Ethnographic Museum “Giovanni Podenzana” via del Prione 156 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727781 museoetnografico.segreteria@comune.sp.it - link, Facebook  Ig @museoetnograficosp

Civic Museum of the Seal and Palace of the Arts “LR Rosaia” via del Prione, 234 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727220 barbara.viale@comune.sp.it link - link FacebookIg @museodelsigillo, Facebook; Ig @palazzinadellearti

“PM Beghi” Civic Library Via del Canaletto, 100 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727885 biblioteca.beghi@comune.sp.it Facebook Ig @biblioteca_beghi

“Ubaldo Mazzini” Civic Library Corso Cavour, 251 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727515 biblioteca.mazzini@comune.sp.it Facebook, Ig @biblioteca.mazzini

Ligurian Regional Media Library “S. Fregoso” Via Firenze, 37 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.745630 mediateca@comune.sp.it Facebook Ig @mediateca.laspezia

Special Library of Art and Archaeology Via del Prione, 238 – La Spezia – Tel. 0187.727918 biblioteca.arte@comune.sp.it Facebook,Ig @biblioteca.arte.archeologia